News/Updates 

Hess Corporation today announced the latest addition to its highly anticipated line of toy trucks that promises to have fans racing to Hess locations this holiday season: The 2011 Hess Toy Truck and Race Car. For the first time in the collection's 47-year history, the two vehicles in the set are both packed with sounds and lights for twice the fun.

With design elements that emphasize quality and encourage imaginative play, the 2011 Hess Toy Truck and Race Car is set to speed to the top of gift lists. This year's Hess Toy Truck and Race Car goes on sale November 11, 2011 at participating Hess and Hess Express retail stores for $26.99 plus tax – Energizer® batteries included.

Following a long tradition of craftsmanship and innovation, this year's truck has four-wheel spring suspension and a pull-out ramp that automatically activates a hydraulic sound. The truck cab features three more sound effects and flashing lights. The truck's flatbed trailer carries a race car modeled after an American stock car that sports a pull-back racing motor and Hess Express logo. A push of the race car's gas cap activates flashing lights and the sound of the car's engine. The toy set's full lineup of fun features includes:

Truck:
· Pull-out ramp with automatic hydraulic sound
· 3 additional sound effects activated by cab buttons (ignition, horn and back-up alert sounds)
· 34 lights with all-on and flashing modes
· Flashing light mode activated by cab button, chassis switch and ramp
· Four-wheel spring suspension
· Chrome-look detailing
· 2 Energizer® 'C' batteries

Race Car:
· Engine sound effect activated by gas cap button
· 10 lights (all-on and flashing modes)
· Flashing light mode activated by gas cap button
· Pull-back racing motor
· Chrome-look detailing
· 2 Energizer® 'AA' batteries

The Hess Toy Truck has been a holiday tradition since 1964, and is one of the longest running toy brands on the market. As in past years, the truck will be sold exclusively at Hess retail stores in 16 East Coast states from Massachusetts to Florida, while supplies last. For a complete list of Hess Toy Trucks through the years or to find the nearest Hess location, please visit: www.hesstoytruck.com

Hess Corporation, with headquarters in New York, is a global integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, production, purchase, transportation and sale of crude oil and natural gas, as well as the production and sale of refined petroleum, natural gas and electricity products.

As much as any movie in recent memory, Real Steel had a very divided audience leading up to its premiere. About half of the potential audience took one look and dubbed it Rock-'Em, Sock-'Em Robots: The Movie. The other half either read or saw the original version of the story, Steel (written by Richard Matheson and adapted for an episode of The Twilight Zone), and wondered what would happen once it got the Hollywood treatment. As it turns out, neither guesses were correct...Real Steel is actually closest to a combination of two Sylvester Stallone movies: Rocky and Over the Top.

Continue reading "Real Steel Review"

My Gobot/Spychanger collection continues to grow with the addition of G2 Sideswipe

Zobovor once noted how ridiculous it was for characters that were supposedly undercover to be driving around with Transformers logos emblazoned on them. I can't argue the point, but there's something about that utterly absurd concept that appeals to me. So with that, I present the first of the meta Transformers to join my 1/24 ranks: Gearhead.

Comikaze Expo, the largest multimedia pop culture, comic book, horror, anime and gaming convention in California, aka the Los Angeles Comic-Con, has announced it will host horror icon Elvira's last convention appearance in its premiere event taking place on November 5-6, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Comikaze Expo's official "Spooksperson," Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, will sign autographs, pose for photos with fans and take part in various events throughout the Expo.

Elvira became a household name with Elvira's Movie Macabre, the first nationally syndicated horror movie show. The weekly series featured the sexy, outrageous movie hostess' sharp wit and clever banter throughout her tongue-in-cheek commentary of B-movie classics. Her reign as 'Queen of Halloween' spans three decades and includes two feature films, her long-running series and two motion control rides. Her appearance at Comikaze Expo honors the event's commitment to horror fans and promises a memorable experience for all.

"It's about time all of my boob-tube fans who've never been lucky enough to say hi in person come out to meet me," said Elvira. "This will be everybody's last chance to see this busty, beehived broad in the flesh (and not much else!), so jump on that Red Line and head to the L.A. Convention Center, darling. As the hostess with the mostest, I'm gonna bring a little class to this event if it's the last thing I do. Oh yeah, it IS the last thing I'll do. Whatever."

"We are beyond thrilled and overwhelmed that Elvira is our official 'Spooksperson' and is making her final convention appearance right here in L.A., where it all started for her," says Comikaze Expo CEO Regina Carpinelli. "Since she burst onto the horror scene, she's been a pop culture pioneer, and is a gorgeous, brilliantly funny woman who never disappoints her fans. It's an incredible honor to have her be a part of Comikaze." Carpinelli is encouraging fans to dress like Elvira at Comikaze in honor of the star's final convention appearance.

Comikaze will kick off with an appearance by the father of modern comics, Stan Lee, at the event's ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first and only multimedia, cross-genre expo to hit Los Angeles, Comikaze Expo has created a pop culture extravaganza that brings together the best in comics, gaming, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and all other cult programming. Its wide-ranging appeal has attracted celebrity appearances from icons and budding artists of this exciting world, including animators, comic book and anime artists, special effects teams, writers, actors, and filmmakers, among other creators, from both the mainstream and geek worlds.

This unparalleled event's wide range of innovative programming and activities provide fans access to their favorite artists and creators. From independent film screenings, live shows and star-studded panels to fan contests, games, portfolio reviews and a masquerade ball, there is something for everyone and more at Comikaze. Family-oriented events are scheduled for Sunday, November 6.
In an effort to make Comikaze accessible to everyone, tickets are only $12 each, and children under 12 are FREE, making this family event the largest convention of its kind in Los Angeles—at the best price. Each ticket holder will receive their choice of a celebrity lithograph photo valued at $79-$189. For more information about Comikaze, including sponsorship information, vendor applications and ticket sales, visit ComikazeExpo.com.

About Comikaze
Comikaze Expo is the largest multimedia pop culture convention in Los Angeles. The brainchild of Southern California siblings, Regina and Mario Carpinelli, this unique event brings together the best in comics, gaming, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and all other cult programming. Comikaze takes place November 5-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and offers a slate of innovative programming, panels, contests and other activities that provide fans access to their favorite artists and creators in this adventure-packed weekend. Featured appearances include the father of modern comics, Stan Lee, and Comikaze's official "Spooksperson," horror icon Elvira, in her final convention appearance. For more info, visit ComikazeExpo.com.

About Elvira
Played by actress-writer Cassandra Peterson, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark has carved out a niche in popular American culture that is unmatched. For more than two decades she has entertained as the Queen of Halloween through her "Elvira's Movie Macabre" TV franchise, two feature films, an IMAX film, two motion control rides and God-only-knows what else. She has appeared in ads for Pepsi and Coors, recorded five music CDs, published four books and licensed over 400 products. For additional information about Elvira, please visit Elvira.com.

I was originally going to pass on building 1/24 versions of the Spychangers, since they were essentially minor variations of the same few castings. But on closer examination I realized that, although Hasbro was milking the molds for all they were worth, getting the iconic look for the main characters would only require a few repeats. Then I discovered that how easy it was to make a TF-accurate Diablo, and it was easy to decide which Spychanger would be the first to join my 1/24 ranks: R.E.V.